*this information is adapted from the IRS newsletter Issue Number:  Tax Tip 2023-15 *this information is about U.S. taxes Whether you travel for pole once a year or once a month, figuring out travel expense tax write-offs might seem confusing. The IRS has information to help all business travelers properly claim these valuable deductions.     Business…

If you are a pole instructor, warming up your students in preparation for a movement class is something that you do all the time. It might even be something you do so much that you don’t even think about it anymore! In this post we’ll share three different types of preparations for you to consider…

Starting a business—especially a pole based one—can be a rewarding experience, both emotionally and financially. In some ways, starting your own business is easier than ever before; while in other ways it’s infinitely harder. In this post, we’ll talk about some of the emotional challenges to starting a business and what to do to manage…

Finding qualified instructors to work at your pole dance studio can be tough, keeping them can be even tougher! While many pole teachers say how much they love to teach and would do it for free, this is not a long-term viable strategy for them or for your pole studio. Treat your instructors like the…

Finding time to run your social media account(s) as a small pole-based business can be tough. While “Thought leadership” or unique and specifically created content is often considered to be the “holy grail” of marketing, it may be appropriate (and a time saver!) to share content you didn’t create. What is curated content? Curated content…

Sales and marketing are the life blood of any business. Remember, marketing, at its most basic, is attracting people to your business. Sales is converting those people into paying customers. Periodically, maybe at the quarter or year-end, evaluate what you’re doing so that you can continue your process, change it, or try something new to…

Saving is often not the first thing new business owners think of when starting their pole-based business, especially if your new business is a side hustle. Even before your business starts to grow, it’s important to start thinking about preparing for the future. Here are some things to think about whether you are just starting…

Sales and marketing are important parts of running a business. Most pole dance businesses are great at actions that are traditionally considered marketing such as using your email list, being active on social media (or even using paid ads), working with affiliates and more. But how many pole dance businesses have an active sales process?…

A press kit or media kit has all the information reporters or other media folks need to know about your business and how to contact you. Why do you need a press kit? If getting publicity for your business is a goal, make it easy for reporters to accurately talk about your business. Pole businesses…

Please note, this article is about taxes in the United States (US). It may contain general useful information if you are outside of the US. Always refer to updated tax law in your jurisdiction and work with a certified tax professional. Taxes can be complicated—especially if you are self-employed. Check out our detailed article about…

Adult group exercise or fitness classes can be challenging to teach. Pole dancing takes that challenge and puts it on a whole other level! Instructors want to give clients “quick wins” so they keep coming back but with little assessments and a wide variety of ability levels, it can be hard to provide content that…

With all the demands on people’s lives and times, it can be tough to keep people engaged with your studio. Check out these tips for ways to engage your pole studio members outside of the studio and get them coming back again and again! Create Social Media Contests and Challenges: the sky is the limit…

In this post we’ll talk about what a social media policy is, why you might need one for your business and how to create one that is tailored to your needs. What is a social media policy? A social media policy is a set of rules that governs how you or your business use and…

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Before we talk about recommendations, remember, you don’t ever have to run a sale. Putting your products or services on discount is not necessarily appropriate for everyone or every business. First check out this article about why you might want to discount your product or service. Then read on for when do run a sale,…

Creating an inclusive space where your students can be comfortable learning and growing is an important part of being a pole dance instructor! Part of creating that inclusive space is letting your students be comfortable in their preferred gender, not necessarily the gender they were assigned at birth, during your classes or while they are…

Mission and vision statements are often associated with non-profit organizations but can be useful in for-profit organizations of all sizes (even individuals!) and all industries too. Keep reading for more information on what these statements are and how they can be useful to your pole-based business. What is a mission statement? Your mission statement basically…

What is a privacy policy? A privacy policy is a legal agreement that explains how you gather, use and manage any personal information from your customers and clients. This personal information may (please note, this list is not necessarily a complete list) include: information provided to sign up for services; name, residential address, contact address…

A marketing funnel is one way to explain the process your customer goes through starting from learning about your product/service/studio to actually making a purchase with you. In reality, your customer journey is not straightforward, and they may enter the funnel at any part and bounce around before they make a sale. The visual of…

Building a business can be tough! Especially when it may start as a side hustle that you can’t spend a lot of time or money on. We’ve collected 10 free (a few free-mium) resources to help you on your pole business journey! Check out all the links below in two major categories “marketing” and “business.”…

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Money is complicated – not just how to make it, spend it, track it and all those other quantitative things that are important as business owners — but also about how we feel about it. We’ve talked about how to price your products and services before, but what we haven’t talked about is how you…

We have all heard the term “vibe” in mainstream media. But have you thought of it in terms of pole dance studios? According to the Collins Dictionary, the informal definition of the word vibe is “the good or bad atmosphere that you sense with a person or in a place.” Of course a good atmosphere…

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If you own or run a pole dance studio, you will undoubtedly have to make the decision on what type of class structure to provide. Typically, studios will provide drop-in classes, semester/series-type classes, or a combination of both. In this post, we will focus on the pros and cons of drop-in classes versus semester classes…

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Growing is a business is at the top of many pole-preneuers goal list! How do you know when it’s time to expand your business? Check out our top three indicators that it might be time to level up your business. Your reoccurring revenue exceeds your expenses and profit goals Yup! We’re starting right off with…

As a student of pole dance, it is important to take a multitude of different classes. This includes taking classes outside your local pole dance studio. If you live in a big city, you may have the privilege of going to different pole studios. This provides a great opportunity to learn new approaches, train different…

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An elevator pitch is a business tool that you can whip out of your pocket to let others in your industry understand who you are, what you are passionate about, and what you bring to the table quickly and effectively. A well-scripted elevator pitch is handy at trade events, job fairs, when speaking to customers,…

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CPR training and certification is recommended for any individual teaching pole dance. In an emergency situation, CPR can save someone’s life. CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a set of lifesaving actions that include performing chest compressions and providing ventilation to a person whose heart has stopped beating. Those who are CPR certified have…

Offering free or discounted services can be a great way to let people know about your brand, generate revenue in a specific amount time, or to get rid of old inventory. Sometimes though, doing too many discounts can have a negative impact on your business. We’ll explore when to offer discounts and when it might…

Unfortunately many entrepreneurs don’t pay themselves. They invest time and money into their business and remember to pay everyone except themselves. While this may provide some short term relief over cash flow concerns, especially when the business is young, long term, this is a recipe for disaster. While there are many reasons business owners may…

Just like the words “sales” and “marketing” are often used interchangeably, “features” and “benefits” often get jumbled together. We get the basic idea—features and benefits describe what you are selling—but what do these words really mean and why is knowing the difference important? Understanding the difference between features and benefits can help you fine-tune your…

Now that we understand the difference between sales and marketing, it’s time to smash the two back together again to discuss how you’re going to manage and track your customer relationships. The most common way to do that is using a tool called Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software. CRMs offer you a way to organize…

Pole dancing is still a new industry, and there is no one gold standard for certifications or benchmark for hiring certified or non-certified pole instructors. Newly certified instructors may have good intentions but have limited experience working with the myriad of ability levels typically found in a studio. Many teachers with years of experience don’t…

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Having a full understanding of your target audience’s wants and needs is crucial to running a small business. Pole studio owners or instructors probably spend lots of time face to face talking with customers, and that is a great way to get feedback and learn how you can improve your business. But when you don’t…

Being a small business owner is tough! You are often working in your business serving customers and on your business, working to improve processes like marketing and sales usually ALL at the same time! Because of these challenges, and not being able to find more time in the day or successfully clone ourselves, we often…

If you are a stripper or sex worker, I consider you an athlete. Even if you don’t do advanced pole dance or pole tricks, you are an athlete. According to the Merriam Webster definition, an athlete is “a person who is trained or skilled in exercises… requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina.” Tell me that…

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Wait—there is a difference between marketing and sales? Yes! The two terms are often used interchangeably, and their functions overlap and feed into each other, further confusing things. For example, at an event, you might hand out brochures and business cards, answer questions, and hold a raffle (marketing) but also sell several costume pieces (sales).…

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Selling a business can be a complicated endeavor. Read the tips below to start the process of selling your pole dance business. Do some soul searching Business, especially small pole dance business, can be very personal. Make sure you consider all the factors in closing your business first. If you decide that trying you sell…

There are many ways to value your pole dance business. Some of them are more relevant for product businesses, whereas others are more relevant for subscription-based businesses, like a studio or an online pole tutorial company that has a monthly or annual commitment for subscribers. Learn about several options, then consider engaging with a business…

The popularity of pole dance events, shows, and competitions is increasing all over the world. Establishing and maintaining safety of pole dance athletes participating in these events is crucial! Although injuries and emergencies are rare, pole dance is undeniably a dangerous sport. Below are the top 3 safety must-haves for any pole event. Addressing these…

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While all business is personal to an extent, pole-based businesses are often extremely personal. They might be community-based like studios or founded from a creative passion such as dancing, teaching, or designing cute outfits. Knowing when to close your business can be a difficult decision that weighs many options, factors, and emotions. Why do businesses…

Licensing and franchising are two ways to grow your pole dance business. Learn about the difference between these two options in this post. This post is about the details of how to set up a licensing agreement. What is licensing? Licensing is a limited legal relationship that allows someone else to use your intellectual property,…

This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2021 event held on October 17, 2021.  

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This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2021 event held on October 17, 2021.  

This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2021 event held on October 17, 2021.  

This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2021 event held on October 17, 2021.  

Pole dance is demanding on the body. Instructing pole dance can be even more demanding. But it doesn’t have to be. In the pole industry, we tend to put a lot of pressure on our instructors to be advanced polers. We expect them to be able to demonstrate the most advanced tricks and move their…

This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2021 event held on October 17, 2021.  

The pole industry can often feel like a very friendly place. And friends don’t ask friends for contracts, right? You’re *just* supposed to trust each other, right? WRONG! The very best thing you can do for yourself, and for your friends, is to have a contract. What is a contract? A contract, at its most…

In previous posts, we have talked about ways to take care of your body and improve longevity as a pole dance instructor. One of our recommendations to improve longevity was to use alternative methods to teach and demonstrate pole tricks. Pole dance instructors can experience bodily fatigue from demonstrating pole tricks over and over again.…

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Participating in continuing education on a regular basis will promote life-long learning and improve the instruction and care of the students of our pole industry. If you a studio owner or pole dance instructor, then you should consider doing continuing education. Although not required for pole professionals, opportunities for continuing education in the pole dance…

Negative reviews on official review channels like Google or Yelp or negative postings on social media are a fact of life for many businesses today. We talked with lawyers from Friedman, Framme & Thrush, P.A. to understand what business owners can and should do when faced with a negative public complaint that is impacting their…

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All studios, events, and performances need to have a license to play music in-person. With the rise of virtual events, do the same rules apply? The answer is a little more complicated than a simple “yes” or “no.” Traditional music licensing US Copyright Law requires you to have a license, or the artist’s written permission,…

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Receiving and giving feedback is an important part of being a pole teacher and pole business owner. There are many ways to provide non-constructive or damaging feedback that can negatively affect your current or future relationships with the people who work for you, work with you, or who may purchase your product or service. Here…

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In this resource post, we talked about the importance of building your email list, a collection of email addresses from anyone who has subscribed to your newsletter, blog, or website; bought something from you; or  gathered in-person, such as for an event. With the continued issues of shadow banning and social media advertising rejecting pole…

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Online content is everywhere and because it’s easily accessible, it may feel like you can repurpose whatever content you find online for your own uses including for your business. However, just because it can be found publicly doesn’t mean you automatically have the rights to use it. All content is created by someone and they…

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The basic purpose of a budget is to understand the difference between your revenue, money coming into your business, and your expenses, money going out of your business. Understanding this information can help you adjust your expectations or your spending habits to maximize the potential profit from your business or to make corrections to ensure…

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Many pole instructors and studios are switching to virtual classes to serve a global audience and to protect against the spread of infectious disease. Whether you are starting your first teaching business online, porting an in-person business to being virtual or looking for hybrid solutions, here are some tips on how to set up your…

We have previously discussed the importance of having an emergency action plan specific to your pole studio. Why is this so important? Because pole injuries will occur in your studio, and it is best to have a plan in place to handle them. Although it is impossible to predict every injury that will occur, handling…

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While video auditions have been common in the pole industry for many years, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced even more live competitions and other pole-based events to go virtual. As our industry adopts an increasingly digital mindset, it’s important for performers to consider the unique aspects of digital performances. Recorded vs. Live Performances When applying…

Outside of teaching specific, scheduled classes, there are no common working hours for pole industry professionals. Many pole-fessionals may also maintain their pole business pursuits in addition to a regular “day job.” This can make it hard as a business owner or as a consumer to know when and how they can and should contact…

Whether you are a performer, stripper, or pole-dancing hobbyist, it is definitely important to take care of your physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Self-care is nothing short of important and necessary. As dancers and performers, we can easily tire ourselves out without even realizing it. This list covers things you can do to take care…

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Pole injuries do occur. Perhaps you came down from the pole and landed wrong on your ankle. Or maybe that nagging pain in your shoulder has finally started to affect your pole moves. If you have sustained a pole injury and have felt unsure about which healthcare professional to consult, you are not alone. And…

The pole industry is made up of wonderful people, who, for the most part, want the community to thrive. It’s common to see dancers loaning hairspray backstage at competitions, competing studio owners sharing hugs and business owners trusting each other with booths and cash boxes at events.  However, there are times when jealousy and panic…

Injuries are bound to happen in a pole studio. Pole dancers put their bodies through extreme demands including climbing, inverting, stretching, and dancing at high levels of intensity. Sure, the benefits outweigh the risks. But is your studio prepared for those risks? Would if there is a fire at your studio? Do you have a…

This workshop was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. When to Ramp Up Your Business and How to Do It with Kristy Sellers: Running a successful studio or pole business with one location or as an individual is great, but what happens when you start to increase your business with…

This workshop was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. The No Room Warm Up with Zippora: So you’ve just landed an amazing gig as a Lead Pole Performer. You’re super excited but when you get there, there’s no space for you to warm up!? And very little time?! How do…

This workshop was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Makeup Tip for the Digital Stage! with Kinky Sweat: Performing from your living room doesn’t mean we can’t still learn how to apply stage makeup! This workshop will breakdown techniques one can rely on for successful performance makeup. Learn which type of…

This workshop was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. XPERT Fitness Flexibility Flow Certification Teaser: There are many flexibility and stretch programs on the market, it can be hard to decipher what information is actually correct and relevant, especially when it comes to teaching. Flexibility is quite personal and…

This workshop was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Amorous Chair with Tanya: Enjoy a crowd favorite, “Amorous Chair” workshop for the 7th time @ PoleCon! Our 2020 Amorous Chair routine is a fun workout routine.   We always mix up our style every year and I can’t wait to surprise…

This workshop was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Revolutionizing Pole Dancing with Affiliate Marketing with Destynnie Hall: This talk will cover affiliate marketing and how it can benefit every part of the pole industry, from bloggers and brand ambassadors, to pole manufacturers and resellers.  Perfect for pole business…

This workshop was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Transforming your Mindset to Achieve your Dream Life with Nicole the Pole: Coaching Workshop – Transforming your Mindset to Achieve Your Dream Life

This workshop was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Going Virtual with Torwa Joe of Vertical Joes: If you are like me, COVID has pushed me into an unknown world of technology. Being forced to shift 2 dance studios and 20 instructors online in a short period of time resulted…

This workshop was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Mobility and Recovery for Pole Professionals from Rad with Roy Choquette: Many of us push our body to the limits, and since there’s no “season” for the pole community we are performing and teaching classes all the time with little to…

This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Pole Business Panel lead by Colleen Jolly: Small business is hard and a small business in the pole industry is even harder. Hear from a variety of types of businesses in our industry through our panel discuss important business topics…

This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Stripper Professionalism—How Club Life Serves Strippers Outside of the Club Panel led by Nia Burks: Strippers have an uncanny ability to pivot, respond, provide a professional service in a fun environment, assess their value, and market their uniqueness. These skill sets,…

This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Queer Polers – Navigating Gender and Sexual Orientation in the Pole Industry led by Kate E. Gaga: This panel discussion features polers working in different aspects of the industry – instructors, studio owners, students, and performers. What do they have in common?…

This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Race and Cultural Appropriation Panel lead by Black Girls Pole: Discussing the intersection of race and cultural appropriation within the pole community.

This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Dangerous Curves : The Complexities of Body Size in Pole Dancing (Panel) lead by Roz the Diva: Pole dancing is hard as hell for slender athletes; for those in larger bodies, the most basic of movements may feel impossible. Join…

This workshop was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Building a Public Brand with Nikki St. John: Everything you put on the internet is public and everyone is going virtual these days. How do you build a public brand that cuts through the noise and really represents you and…

This workshop was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Work Hard; Rest Smarter with Dr. Angie Prescott: Have aches and pains that hinder your progress? Struggling to maintain your performance schedule and training routine due to recurring injuries? Rolling, releasing and rehabbing head to toe and feeling like there…

Generally, performance reviews are conducted annually. They are an opportunity for the employer to provide feedback on the employee’s performance during the year and may also be an opportunity for the employee to voice any concerns or issues. The annual review is often the time when salary increases are applied. Pole teachers, front desk staff…

The pole industry has a pervasive reputation for being friendly, especially with social media allowing us to share (and over share) our lives with the world. This can be great to really connect with students and it can also be great to attract new people to our industry. But what happens when that connection gets…

There are many ways to market your business, some are free and some cost money. With the continued issues of shadow banning and social media advertising rejecting pole business ads, growing your email list is more important to growing your business than ever before. What is an email list? An email list is basically a…

What is Intellectual property? Intellectual property is what makes you and your business unique. This could be your visual or movement arts, your methods for teaching, how you structure classes, the products in your business, how you conduct your services or other. To be fully protected under law, it’s best to protect your intellectual property…

Licensing and franchising are both different legal structures you can use to grow your pole-based business. While both of these options take time, they often take less time than having you manage multiple locations of your business and can increase your reach in different locations for different markets, all around the world. For those who…

For decades, business books and seminars have encouraged entrepreneurs to build a business plan, which usually includes an executive statement, financial projections, the organizational structure, etc. Ideally, the plan paints a picture of your business operations so that potential investors and other stakeholders can decide whether they want to take a risk on you/your organization.…

Choosing to have employees, contractors or a mix of the two is very important for the health of your business. Choosing the wrong type can cost you penalty fees and lots of hassle with local, state and federal government entities. If you have the option to be an employee or a contractor, you also should…

What is Payroll? Payroll is the list of employees your company pays on a regular basis. This usually includes the amount of money received for time work/tasks completed and may also include benefits distributions or even accrued time off. Payroll can be weekly, bi-weekly, bi-monthly, monthly or at some other regularity. There is also no…

A podcast can be a great way to market your business, reach new customers and create community around your product or service as part of your overall marketing plan. It can also be a way to generate revenue through advertising and sponsorship. A podcast can also take a lot of time to implement and to…

Interviewing individuals in the pole industry can be a great way to network, learn more and to promote your own brand. Below are questions to ask and several tips to keeping your audience engaged. What Questions to Ask While the questions to ask largely vary depending on the interviewee, topic, and the audience themselves, there…

This resource focuses on each step to purchasing, hosting, and building a website. A website is a good way to showcase all of your products and services, tell the world about your business, and help promote it online. While having a good social media presence is also important, you don’t own that content and you…

Social media marketing is the general term for the type of marketing brands use to promote themselves on social media platforms. The goal is to convert visitors to interacting with your brand, whether that is purchasing a product or service, engaging with your posts, or learning more about what you provide. Social media platforms have…

You may have heard the term “affiliate marketing” or have been asked if you offer affiliate commissions before. In this post, we will cover what affiliate marketing is, how it affects your brand, and several ways to set up an affiliate program. What Is Affiliate Marketing? Affiliate marketing is a process where a blogger, brand…

Professionalism in its most basic form is how you conduct yourself in a business environment. In a corporate setting, professionalism is often conflated with unimportant issues like appearance and word choice, allowing well-meaning managers to focus on the length of skirts, the color of hair and the use of the word “fuck.” A definition from…

Whether you are officially talking to the media in some capacity for your business or studio, or even just talking to friends about your new passion, it’s easy to get sucked into the stripper/poler discussion and inadvertently slut shame strippers especially when dealing with an under-educated public.  This post addresses how not to do that…

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While there may be a hot, new marketing tool that does dramatically help your business grow, most marketing know-how boils down to three basic elements: do it do it consistently figure out who you’re marketing to and tailor 1 and 2 to suit their preferences. Do It The worst thing you can do for your…

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When booking a traveling pole star workshop leader to come to your studio and teach your students, there are several things to consider: Always Have a Contract Always have a contract that specifically outlines your relationship so there are absolutely no questions about who is responsible for what. Here are a few main topics that…

From getting capital to start up your business, propel your business forward or just to manage cash flow between slow months, getting more money is always a challenge. There is no “best way” to fund a business, rather there are lots of options that will help you start or continue to fund your business. You…

This resource is a general post focused on US-based pole dance instructors, performers or SWer/strippers and those with LLC-structured pole businesses. What to Expect Tax law changes and updates every year, sometimes those updates are small and sometimes they dramatic and wide-ranging. Make sure to stay up-to-date on any tax laws that change. Reference the…

Winning or even being a part of a pole dance competition may be an important way to launch or enhance your pole instructor career. Not only could this be a good opportunity to showcase your talents and perhaps land work as a performer, most competitions also offer good networking opportunities. How to pole dance competitions…

Winning or even being a part of a strip club competition may be an important way to launch or enhance your SWer career. Not only could this be a good opportunity to showcase your talents and perhaps land work as a featured performer, most competitions offer cash prizes that can be used to fund your…

A “house performer” or “house dancer” works for a particular strip club or franchise whereas a “featured performer” tends to have their own celebrity, touring different clubs and making appearances. Every so often, clubs might bring in featured performers to help draw crowds and bring in money for the club. These can be other strippers,…

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A marketing plan can take many forms. At the most basic level, it is a commitment to engage with your customers and potential customers in a specific way (or set of ways) on a regular basis with the intent to sell them your product and/or service. The concept of “engaging with your customers” takes many…

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Check out some ideas below to increase your pole studio membership and merchandise sales while building a thriving and supportive community. Promotions to Try: Bring a friend! Pole is super social. Encourage your existing clientele to bring a friend to your studio through special workshops and deals. Run a “couples class” or a “bring your…

A SWOT analysis is a straightforward, yet powerful process to help you make informed, business decisions. SWOT is an acronym that stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. You can use this process as a planning tool for opening or revamping studio, for creating an event, making a new product or even in positioning your…

Instructors, performers, SWers and other pole businesses can all benefit from having professional photoshoots to improve their brand image! This post is focused on an individual working either in a trade photoshoot or paid photoshoot capacity. For information on building up a photo portfolio to use in your own marketing where you would pay the…